Cannes Lion International Advertising Festival: Day 4

We just finished up the 4th day of the festival, and I would have to say it was one of the best. I'm beginning to think that they saved a lot of the best things for last!

This morning we went to a workshop with Leap Music and Vodafone, called "music sounds better with you." It was interesting, and filled with a lot of the industry's record producers and such. It was kind of hard to understand if you aren't in the industry though!

We then went to 2 seminars, one put on by USA today and the other about the new Nike+ brand.  Both  of these seminars were very interesting, and really well put together with a ton of visuals. USA today spoke about the consumer generated market. This includes big name companies that have put their marketing into the hands of their consumers. 

I'm sure most people would have seen the frito-lay commercial, with the man driving in his car by a woman on the street. You know, the one where she falls and hits her head and all of the chips go flying? We watched a bunch of clips like that, where a contest was created to make the best commercial for a product. It was interesting b/c we were told that people ages 13-24 years old spend 71% of their time looking at user created information and sites online.

For example, the huge YouTube boom. The seminar gave the general idea that this sort of marketing is not new, just easier b/c of the digital technology being released everyday. Websites like YouTube even make it possible to create more brand awareness, as a current Dove bodywash commercial has currently over 100 spoofs online. Conversation about your brand is good, no matter what people are saying.

We also had a chance to view a couple of hours of the automobile ads this morning. Thats more of Todds area, but it was esspecially interesting seeing all of the cars from around the world. The SmartCar is one of my favorites!

Tomorrow is the last full day of the festival, and then we leave France on Sunday. Its been an amazing trip so far!

Au Revoir

Jessica